Stephen A. Smith: Time for Iverson to call it a career?

DALLAS - Now that Allen Iverson has elected to skip Sunday's NBA All-Star Game, reports circulating throughout the league have him retiring soon. According to those close to the Answer, there's no truth to that.

But considering the personal issues that Iverson has endured of late, combined with how they have affected his willingness to play, we have to wonder:

Is it time for Iverson to call it a career? It's a legitimate question, now more than ever.

The 59th annual NBA All-Star Game is scheduled to take place at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. More than 80,000 fans are expected, which would break the NBA's attendance record. Consider that Iverson received more than a million votes to be an all-star starter - knowing that his statistics did not warrant the accolade - and his willingness to skip the festivities should speak volumes about his state of mind.

"I didn't know a damn thing about his decision to skip this weekend until this morning," one of Iverson's closest confidants said. "I'm stunned. Even with things the way they are, I could've sworn he'd be in Dallas by now. This doesn't feel good."

That person did not want to speak publicly because of the situation.

Messiah Iverson, the all-star guard's 3-year-old daughter, is ill. Iverson is worried sick. His wife, Tawanna, is feeling worse.

"The worst part of it all is that they're still trying to figure out specifically what's wrong with her," Iverson's confidant said of Messiah's medical treatment. A source said last night that her condition was worsening.

If this situation is not a parent's worst nightmare, it's pretty close. Iverson's family can use our prayers right now.

In addition to his most pressing issue at home, Iverson must ponder his career and what is left of it.

He has averaged just 14.7 points and 4.2 assists in 22 games since returning to the 76ers. The perennial all-star had spent a career scoring 20 a night in his sleep. Iverson has played in just 82 games over the last two seasons. However, he has been lauded for his elevated leadership skills, his willingness to play team basketball, adopting a cerebral game to pair with the explosive skills he displayed for years.

The problem is that folks are questioning how explosive Iverson really is anymore. The purpose of his coming back to Philadelphia was to return to a place he loved (and loved him back) so he could fuel his ascension back to the land of basketball relevancy.